Infrastructure Investment Creates Middle-Class Jobs

U.S. Treasury Department

March 23, 2012

The information provided here is for informational and educational purposes and does not necessarily reflect the opinion and/or policy position of the Georgia Municipal Association.

Nearly 90 percent of the jobs in the sectors that benefit most from infrastructure spending are middle-class jobs.

 
A new report from the U.S. Department of Treasury notes that infrastructure investments have a significant impact on middle-class families.  Findings from the report include:
  • Nearly 90 percent of the jobs in the sectors that benefit most from infrastructure spending are middle-class jobs.
  • The average American family spends more than $7,600 a year on transportation.
  • Traffic congestion on our roads results in 1.9 billion gallons of gas wasted per year, and costs drivers more than $100 billion in wasted fuel and lost time.
  • For 90 percent of Americans, transportation costs absorb one out of every seven dollars of income.
  • The United States ranks 15th out of 32 Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) nations with respect to our satisfaction with our roads and highways.
  • 19 out of 20 Americans are concerned about America’s infrastructure and 84 percent support greater investment to address infrastructure problems.
More information can be found in the U.S. Department of Treasury report, A New Economic Analysis of Infrastructure Investment (PDF, 945KB).

 
 The Treasury Department is the executive agency responsible for promoting economic prosperity and ensuring the financial security of the United States.